Bulk Distributor Jul/Aug 16 | Page 13

Flexitanks & Bulk Liners July/August 2016 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Van den Bosch expands deepsea transport options into flexitanks B ulk logistics operator Van den Bosch is expanding its deepsea activities by moving into flexitanks. The Erp, Netherlands-based firm says shipping liquid bulk products in flexitanks is a frequently used form of transport, with popular export, products like oils, fruit juice and wine being suitable. “We are noticing an increasing interest in flexitanks. Therefore we have decided to extend our deepsea activities with this new modality,” said Paul van de Vorle, member of the team of directors at Van den Bosch. In order to guarantee quality, Van den Bosch works exclusively with renowned flexitank producers. Also the shipping containers in which the flexitanks are fitted have to meet strict criteria. Flexitanks can be used worldwide at low positioning costs, the firm continues. On top of that they facilitate a higher payload than IBCs (20 percent) and drums (30 percent). Paul van de Vorle stated: “Our intermodal activities have seen strong growth over the past years. Especially our deepsea transport has grown fast. By offering liquid bulk transport in flexitanks, we want to develop further our international transport activities with a focus on Europe, Africa and the Middle East.” www.vandenbosch.com Van Beek develops ‘very fast’ container liner filler V an Beek has developed a system for very fast loading of bulk goods into 20ft containers. The Liner Filler screw conveyor is claimed to be able to fill a container liner to 85 percent in less than half an hour. Fitted with a bulk materials liner, containers are ideal for transporting bulk goods from far-flung places, Van Beek says. There is really only one disadvantage, the firm reckons. Container liners can only be filled via a relatively small hole at the front of the bag and not all logistics companies have the facilities for doing this. However, Van Beek asserts that the Liner Filler is a cost-efficient solution to this issue, without using pneumatic air or endless woven belts. The Liner Filler is a horizontally installed screw conveyor on a mobile platform, fed from an inlet hopper or opening put in above it. This inlet hopper can be filled from a silo, a Dino bulk truck loader, with bags or even a shovel. The installation can also be fitted as an option with wheels so that a forklift truck can move it. A truck with a 20ft container reverses so that the screw slides into the opening of the liner. Thanks to a construction lamp operated via the switch cabinet, so this is also possible in bad weather. A filling detector is fitted at the end of the screw. “The Liner Filler has already proved itself in practice when loading granulates plastic granules, powders (such as flour), catalyst and flakes,” says Van Beek. “In particular, the plastics processing and food industry are grateful for being able to make use of the options that this special screw conveyor offers.” For companies with the capability and space to stand containers vertically the firm has an alternative filling method. The XL version of the Dino bulk truck filler with a dump height of more than 6m is in fact long enough to fill a vertical 20ft container from the top, it says. www.van-beek.nl Van Beek’s Liner Filler screw conveyor is claimed to be able to fill a container liner to 85 percent in less than half an hour 13